OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Moving Cost Calculator
Estimate Removal Crew, Hours and Cost
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How the Moving Cost Calculator works
This moving cost calculator estimates how many movers a house move needs and how many hours it takes, then prices the job at the rates you enter: an hourly rate per mover, a truck charge per kilometre or mile, and any extras such as packing and materials. It has no built-in prices; get at least three local quotes and use them to check each other.
Local movers usually charge per mover per hour with a minimum, plus a travel or truck charge. Long-distance moves are more often quoted as a fixed price based on the weight or volume of your belongings and the distance. The biggest variables are how much you own, stairs and parking at each end, and whether you pack yourself.
How the moving cost calculator works
The formula is labour = movers × (loading and unloading hours + driving hours) × rate per mover; truck = distance × rate per distance; total = labour + truck + extras. Driving time assumes 60 km or miles an hour. For example, a 3-bedroom home takes 3 movers about 7 hours; with 30 km of driving (0.5 hours) at 40 an hour per mover the labour is 900.00, the truck 45.00 at 1.50 per km, and with 100 of extras the total is 1,045.00. A second example: a studio uses 2 movers for about 3 hours.
These crew and hour figures are typical; a well packed home with easy access goes faster, and a home full of books, a piano or three flights of stairs goes slower. Ask each company how many movers and hours its quote assumes.
Mover-hours of labour by job length and crew size
| Hours on the job | 2 movers | 3 movers | 4 movers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 2.5 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 |
| 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 3.5 | 7 | 10.5 | 14 |
| 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 |
| 4.5 | 9 | 13.5 | 18 |
| 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| 5.5 | 11 | 16.5 | 22 |
| 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
| 6.5 | 13 | 19.5 | 26 |
| 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 |
| 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 |
| 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 |
| 8.5 | 17 | 25.5 | 34 |
| 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 |
| 9.5 | 19 | 28.5 | 38 |
| 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 |
| 10.5 | 21 | 31.5 | 42 |
| 11 | 22 | 33 | 44 |
| 11.5 | 23 | 34.5 | 46 |
| 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 |
FAQ
How many movers do I need?
Two movers can handle a studio or one-bedroom flat. A two or three-bedroom home usually takes three, and four or more bedrooms four movers, so the job finishes in a day. More movers cost more per hour but can cost less overall because the job is shorter.
How long does it take to move a 3-bedroom house?
A crew of three typically needs six to eight hours to load and unload a three-bedroom house, plus driving time. Packing everything yourself before they arrive and reserving parking at both ends are the best ways to keep the hours down.
How can I cut the cost of moving?
Get rid of things you will not use before you move, pack yourself, move midweek and outside the busy summer and month-end dates, and get several written quotes. Ask whether the quote is fixed or hourly, and what happens if the job overruns.
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